Scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., “Fall Wellness Day” is presented by CareClinic, a walk-in health clinic launched by Group Health Cooperative and Bartell Drugs. In addition to the Crossroads location, CareClinics also are located at Bartell Drugs’ stores at University Village and Ballard.

Complimentary services will include blood pressure checks, A1C tests to monitor for glucose levels and education about vitamins at the Vitamin Clinic. Pharmacists also will be available to assist with a free “Medicine Cabinet Review” to evaluate a list of medicines and vitamins currently being taken to identify any potential issues.

Those attending the event also will receive coupons offering 50% discounts on selected vitamins, cough-cold products, first aid products or pain relief items. Seasonal flu shots also will be available.

M&M’s brand to enter the baking aisle

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — M&M's brand will offer consumers two new ways to add variety to their baked goods. M&M's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bits and M&M's Minis Milk Chocolate Baking Bits are meant specifically for the baking aisle and will arrive on store shelves in 10-oz. laydown bags with recipes on the back.

Nearly one-quarter of all consumers buy chocolate candy for baking throughout the season, according to the brand. The baking products will be available April 2015 for a suggested retail price of $2.99 to $3.28 per 10-oz. bag.

Halloween expected to scare up more than $7 billion in sales

NEW YORK — Halloween is not just an exclusive holiday for sweets-obsessed kids in costume — it has evolved into an all-inclusive family holiday, according to a Halloween 2014 preview from Fung Business Intelligence Centre. And the sales generated from Halloween are anything but spooky: Halloween is expected to contribute $7.4 billion to retail sales, representing a 7% rise from last year.

Along with costumes, consumers are doling out their dollars for other festive items:

Decorations: The National Retail Federation projects the average per person Halloween spend to total $77.52 this year, up 60% from 2005. Technological advances have helped drive sales, as decorations that animate, light up and have motion-sensor capabilities are at the top of the list for consumers. The NRF projects sales for decorations alone will hit the $2 billion mark.

Candy and greeting cards: Halloween is synonymous with the sweet stuff. Consumers are expected to spend $2.2 billion on candy this year. Nearly 36% of people will send Halloween greeting cards.

The fact that Halloween falls on a Friday this year is also good news for retailers. Stronger sales are anticipated since both children and adults will stay up later to celebrate and possibly attend more than one Halloween party. The economy continues to play a major role in how consumers will spend during the holidays. According to FBIC, half of those consumers celebrating Halloween will shop at such retailers as Walmart, K-Mart and Target to get more for their dollar.

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